Stephen Downes

In TALO, John Gregory wrote, "Will Richardson says we don't need college. Daniel Pink says high school's out too. How low can we go? Can a fourth grader replace every positive aspect of traditional schools with an online education? A second grader?"

I responded, "Why do people always represent this sort of thing as though the student would be doing it completely on his or her own? Nobody expects a fourth grader to 'replace every positive aspect of traditional schools.' Sheesh, they're kids, not government employees. But it's a very different question to ask, are the positive aspects only possible via traditional schools? Could kids obtain (vs. create) these positive aspects without the need for traditional schools. A very different question and, I think, a very different answer."

Meanwhile, James Neill went in the other direction and noted, "Mary Brugan - In defence of lecturing doesn't buy it." Though I would note that her defense is of practice and repetition as much as it is of lecturing.